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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To pop to the shop today without a mask?

125 replies

Popsie17 · 17/07/2020 06:39

I know they don’t become mandatory until next week so I don’t have to but I believe most people in my area have started wearing them already. Will I be frowned upon for not doing so?

Basically, I’ve only ever bought one pack of masks and not wore them. I live in the countryside, don’t use public transport, don’t go to busy places and generally get my shopping delivered.

I give the only masks I had to my granny because she was struggling to find some (doesn’t do online shopping etc). So I re-ordered some for myself but they aren’t here yet.

Need to pick something up from the shop today.

Aibu?

OP posts:
Original poster
Popsie17 · 17/07/2020 07:49

Also, I’m just going to pick up one item. Not doing a large food shop or anything so I’ll be spending next to no time in the shop.

OP posts:
ContentiousOne · 17/07/2020 07:51

If you have one, wear one.

The virus isn't holding off until next week.
You'll help encourage others to wear theirs.

nwatty · 17/07/2020 07:52

Just put a scarf on! Face coverings have been mandatory in scotland for a couple of weeks and our stats are showing the benefit - why wait until it is mandatory when you could make a difference now??

ChickenyChick · 17/07/2020 07:53

mine have not arrived yet

I will start wearing them when it's law (next week)

It's not about spreading or ot spreading the virus. BJ explained it is to get people back into the shops, and that it would inspire more confidence in the public.

The mask is introduced for economic reasons, not to control the virus or protect the public.

So yeah, I'll comply, once the masks arrive

But it's all just a bit of a placebo thing, not a real solution

Oysterbabe · 17/07/2020 07:53

It's fine. Almost no one is wearing them round here yet.

FourEyesGood · 17/07/2020 07:54

@QueenofmyPrinces Wearing a mask for up to an hour while you shop is bearable. Wearing one for an 8-hour shift is less so. Some staff choose to wear one anyway.

I cannot imagine how tough and unpleasant it is for healthcare workers who have to wear masks (and not even a soft cotton one) all day every day. By doing our bit and wearing a mask when we shop, we should be able to help prevent infection, which might eventually lead to far fewer cases and healthcare workers not having to mask up all the time.

ButterMeCrumpets · 17/07/2020 07:55

The virus isn't holding off until next week.You'll help encourage others to wear theirs.

Even if I was the only person without a mask it wouldn't make me wear one if I had a choice.

I wonder if this is why lots of people on SM have been screaming for mandatory mask wearing because they can't accept that others might choose differently given the facts and figures and need the recognition and validation from others.

ContentiousOne · 17/07/2020 07:55

[quote FourEyesGood]@QueenofmyPrinces Wearing a mask for up to an hour while you shop is bearable. Wearing one for an 8-hour shift is less so. Some staff choose to wear one anyway.

I cannot imagine how tough and unpleasant it is for healthcare workers who have to wear masks (and not even a soft cotton one) all day every day. By doing our bit and wearing a mask when we shop, we should be able to help prevent infection, which might eventually lead to far fewer cases and healthcare workers not having to mask up all the time.[/quote]
This.

TwilightPeace · 17/07/2020 07:57

It's not about spreading or ot spreading the virus.

Um.....that’s exactly what it’s about.

Standardy · 17/07/2020 07:58

and lots of us will choose not to shop in person from then

Doubtful. Although less queuing for the rest of us I suppose.

Strugglingtodomybest · 17/07/2020 08:00

ContentiousOne

If you have one, wear one.

She's said twice now that she hasn't got one.

PilatesPeach · 17/07/2020 08:00

Does a visor count as a face covering?

TempsPerdu · 17/07/2020 08:09

I’m deliberately going on a big mask-free shopping trip today precisely to squeeze it in before the new rule comes into play - I desperately need some summer clothes that actually fit properly. After that I won’t be shopping in person for anything other than essentials because browsing in a mask just isn’t pleasurable. I say go for it OP!

ContentiousOne · 17/07/2020 08:12

@Strugglingtodomybest

ContentiousOne

If you have one, wear one.

She's said twice now that she hasn't got one.

Make one.

All you need is a large clean handkerchief and two elastics.

StCharlotte · 17/07/2020 08:12

@Popsie17

I can’t wear one I don’t have one *@TwilightPeace*. I did have some but I give them to my granny as mentioned in original post! She doesn’t do online shopping and hasn’t seen any in the shops!! I’ve re-ordered but not here yet. I am not refusing to wear one. Just don’t have one because I give them to a more vulnerable family member who can’t easily get some!! I can’t magic a face covering up. I am not really a scarf wearer either rain I’m not even sure I have a suitable scarf (I’ll have a look though).

Up until recently hardly anyone wore them here. Hardly any cases here!

Can you reclaim one or two from your granny while you're waiting for yours to arrive?

I'll obviously wear one from next week (still at the stupid self-conscious stage) so I think you'll be fine. Also the shop you're visiting might sell them?

SisyphusDad · 17/07/2020 08:12

If it's necessary in a week's time, why is it not necessary today? I'll be wearing a mask when I go shopping later.

ContentiousOne · 17/07/2020 08:12

Or use a bandana. It's not hard.

Carriemac · 17/07/2020 08:13

Selfish attitude . Take some personal responsibility and wear some kind of covering.

ilovesooty · 17/07/2020 08:15

So you need a forum to validate your social and moral choices? It isn't about doing the right thing for you, is it? I suspect it's about whether anyone will judge you.

Do as you please. You will anyway - while you can. You could find something to cover your face with if you wanted to.

Saracen · 17/07/2020 08:16

You're only going to pick up one item, so you'll only have to wear your hot scarf for a few minutes.

Or, if you happen to have any suitable rags lying around (t-shirt fabric is easy because it's stretchy and comfortable) you can just cut out a face covering in a few minutes, no sewing required. That's what I did the other week when I realised I had to take the bus and hadn't got myself a proper mask yet.

BigGee · 17/07/2020 08:16

I think scarves folded and tied round your face are acceptable. If you use a cotton or silk thin one, it shouldn't be too dense. I've done that, and tucked the bottom into my t shirt neck, to full enclose my face. It works okay.

ContentiousOne · 17/07/2020 08:19

All you're doing is making something to catch big droplets you expel if you sneeze or cough. There are lots of no sew YouTube tutorials.

Sorry I missed you'd given them all to your Granny; for some reason I misread it as you having shared some with her.

butterpuffed · 17/07/2020 08:20

For weeks the majority of us were clapping to show our appreciation of the NHS, care workers, paramedics etc. I never saw anything about them complaining so why should we , especially as we'd only be wearing them for such a short time.

TheNavigator · 17/07/2020 08:20

Use a scarf. How 'suitable' does it need to be if you are only poppng in for one item? Just cover your nose and mouth with any sort of material while you are in the shop then remove when you leave. I think you are trying to make a mountain out of a molehill, personally.

Frownette · 17/07/2020 08:24

I don't wear one all the time at the moment. A taxi driver asked me to yesterday so I obediently put one on.

But yes scarf would do

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